Crime & Safety
Police Make Arrest in Swastika Incident
City officials have said there is no apparent link to the rash of fake bomb threats at Jewish Community Centers.
MIAMI BEACH, FL — Police have arrested a 60-year-old homeless man in connection with the swastikas that were keyed into five vehicles last month in a neighborhood that has many Jewish residents.
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Timothy Merriam had originally been arrested on Feb. 26 for criminal mischief in connection with tire slashings to a row of rental bicycles.
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"Through intensive investigative efforts, MBPD detectives have now tied the suspect to the swastika etchings and to an additional seven incidents of Citi Bike tire slashings," Ernesto Rodriguez of the Miami Beach Police Department told Patch late Tuesday.
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WATCH NOW: Police released surveillance video of the bike tire slashings
The swastikas were discovered on the same day that Merriam was arrested. The five vehicles were parked near 28 Street and Prairie Avenue. The neighborhood is close to the Miami Beach Golf Club and not far from Miami Beach Senior High in what is considered the Mid Beach area of the city. The area has a number of Jewish residents.
A sixth vehicle was also damaged in a similar fashion, but was not etched with a swastika.
"Earlier today, MBPD Detectives interviewed Mr. Merriam at the TGK Correctional Facility," Rodriguez said on Tuesday. "Mr. Merriam made statements that led detectives to conclude that he is the person responsible for the swastika etchings on the vehicles and for seven additional instances of slashings of tires on racks of Citi Bikes. In total, he is accused of damaging over 100 Citi Bikes."
Police will work with the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office to determine whether enhanced penalties for a hate crimes are "appropriate" in this case.
In recent weeks Jewish Community Centers around the country, including one on Miami Beach, have been targeted with bomb threats. New threats were received on Tuesday, including one in nearby Davie.
Photo and video by Miami Beach Police Department
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